Drive for spindles of spinning and twisting machines



Aug. 1, 1967 1. J. KEYSER 3,333,498

DRIVE FOR SPINDLES OF SPINNINGAND k".IWI'IS'I'ING MACHINES Filed March l2, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 1, 1967 J. J. KEYSER DRIVE FOR SPINDLES OF SPINNNG AND TWISTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March l2, 1965 Aug. l2 1967 J. J. KEYSER 3,333,408 DRIVE FOR SPINDLES 0F- SPINNNG AND TwIsTING MACHINES Filed March l2, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 W V A3 an l United States Patent O 3,333,403 DRIVE FOR SPINDLES OF SPINNNG AND TWISTING MACHINES `lohann Jacob Keyser, Grabenallee 16, Aarau, Switzerland Filed Mar. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 439,225 Claims priority, application Germany, Mar. 14, 1964, K 52,378 18 Claims. (Cl. 57--104) The present invention relates to a drive for the spindles of spinning and twisting machines by means of tangential belts. Generally, two types of drives for the spindles of spinning or twisting machines are known, which are used side by side in various types of spinning and twisting machines. More specifically, there exists an individual spindle drive by means of a worm gear transmission, and there is also known a drive by means of a tangential belt which in cooperation with tension rollers passes along the machine and engages the whorls of the individual spindles thereby rotating the same.

According t another type of spindle drive, the spindles are individually or in small groups driven by belts which are passed around driving rollers adapted in their turn to be driven by a transmission or a tangential belt which latter simultaneously drives a plurality of main driving rollers. The various types of drives are favorable with other types of machines, However, all heretofore known drives of the type involved have the drawback that the bearings for the spindles are subjected to a considerable load which increases with an increase in the speed. The main load is due to oscillations of the spindles which oscillations increase during the spinning or twisting operation with increasing cop. Therefore, various steps have been taken in order to permit a limited tilting or pendulum movement of the spindle so as to permit the same to adjust themselves in conformity with the centroidal axis of the cop. These steps include, for instance, the provision of special footstep or vertical bearings, which permit a certain tilting and simultaneously a return of the lower spindle end in said bearing. In this way, the spindles are lpermitted automatically to adjust themselves according to their centroidal axis. However, the costs for such construction are considerable, and frequently it is rather difiicult to repair damaged spindles, in particular to exchange such damaged spindles while the machine is in operation.

Recently, spindles have been suggested which form hollow spindles similar to a continuous tube and `are journalled on the outside. The spindle sleeves are inserted into the hollow spindle and are held at the inner wall surface of the hollow spindle. This type of spindle alfords the possibility of passing the spindle sleeves from below through the hollow spindle while the sleeve fed from below will take the place of the respective sleeve being in use, after said sleeve has received a complete cop.

This way of journalling a spindle sometimes requires anti-friction bearings with a relatively large diameter when the sleeve diameter is greater than customary. The maximum speed of anti-friction bearings employed in this connection is limited to a certain extent so that it appears necessary to employ other means in order to permit the employment of `hollow spindles with outer bearings therefor.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a drive for spindles of spinning and twisting machines which will overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.

It is another object of this invention to provide `a drive for spindles of spinning and twisting ma-chines by means of tangential belts, which will permit a tilting of the 3,333,408 Patented Aug. 1, 1967 spindle without a load on the bearing so that the spindle can continuously adjust itself according to its centroidal axis without a load on the bearing.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an arrangement as set forth in the preceding paragraphs which will be relatively simple in construction and highly reliable.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG, 1 illustrates partly in section and partly in view a spindle drive according to the present invention by a tangential belt in cooperation with supporting rollers.

FIG. 2 is a partial view and partial section of a modilied spindle drive according to the present invention with two superimposed pairs of supporting rollers.

FIG. 3 shows partly in section and partly in View two adjacently arranged spindles of a machine side with a drive by means of a tangential belt, and also shows breaking means for use in connection therewith.

FIG. 4 is a top view and partial section of a spindle drive according to FIG. 3.

A spindle drive according to the present invention is characterized primarily in that the spindle with at least one rolling surface rests against rolling surfaces of two supporting rollers against which it is yieldably pressed by means of a pressing device effective in the plane of symmetry of the two supporting rollers. A drive according to the invention is furthermore characterized in that at least one belt passing between spindle and supporting rollers is ydrivingly connected to the spindle and at least one supporting roller so as to directly drive at least the latter.

Referring now to the drawing in detail and FIG. 1 thereof in particular, the arrangement shown therein comprises a spindle which in construction corresponds to a spindle as described in U.S, Patent No. 3,120,094. More specifically, the spindle comprises an outer sleeve-like short hollow shank 1 through which coaxially extends a shank bar 2 which is axially displaceable. Connected to the upper end of shank bar 2 is a bobbin sleeve supporting body 3 which is freely rotatable. Placed on sleeve supporting body 3 is a bobbin sleeve 4. The lower end of bobbin sleeve 4 is surrounded by the flanged upper marginal portion 5 of a slightly conical sleeve 6 which by means of an anti-friction bearing 7 is freely rotatable on the upper end of hollow shank 1. Sleeve 6 is axially displaceable against the thrust of a spring 8 which latter continuously urges sleeve 6 to move downwardly. FIG. l shows sleeve 6 in its lowermost position.

The upper end of hollow shank 1 has mounted thereon an inner ring 9 for said anti-friction bearing 7. As will be seen from the drawing7 inner ring 9 extends beyond the upper end of hollow shank 1. Distributed over the circumference of the upper end of hollow shank 1 are three apertures 10` in which there are arranged radially displaceable clutch jaws 11. Due to the conical shape of sleeve 67 it is possible when moving sleeve 6 into its lowermost position, to press clutch jaws 11 radially inwardly against the lower end of bobbin sleeve 4 which latter rests on the upper end face of hollow shank 1. When conical sleeve 6 is moved upwardly against the thrust of spring 8, clutch jaws 11 are adapted to move rapidly outwardly into a bobbin sleeve 4 disengaging position. The movement into this disengaging position is effected automatically due to the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of hollow shank 1 which rotates the clutch jaws 11. In this way, the lower end of bobbin sleeve 4 is relieved and bobbin sleeve 4 is stopped. Thus, bobbin sleeve 4 can be stopped while hollow shank 1 rotates.

The lower end of shank bar 2 is connected to an adjustable rail 12 which is adjustable as to height to thereby permit adjusting the free length of shank bar 2 above spindle rail 13 in conformity with the length of the bobbin sleeve 4. Within the range of the upper end of hollow shank 1, shank bar 2 is embraced by an elastic ring 14 which is connected in a hollow sleeve 15 which latter has its lower end stationarily held in spindle rail 13. Due to the fact that sleeve 15 engages shank bar 2 by means of elastic ring 14, the upper end of bar 2 which supports supporting body 3 is adapted to oscillate so that bar 2 can automatically adjust itself in conformity with the centroidal line of the cop being formed.

As will be seen from the drawing, spindle rail 13 has freely rotatably journalled thereon two supporting rollers 16 and 17. Details of the journalling of supporting rollers 16 and 17 will be evident from the sectioned left side of FIG. l. Thus, a sleeve 18 is from tbe -top inserted into the bearing bore of spindle rail 13 and rests by means of its shoulder 19 on the surface of spindle rail 13. Bearing sleeve 18 is from below tightened by means of a screw 20 having a hollow shank 21 containing a liquid lubricant 22. The upper end of sleeve 18 has mounted therein two anti-friction bearings 23 rotatably joumalling a bearing pin 24 which carries the supporting roller body 16. Supporting roller body 16 has tWo roller surfaces 25 between which there is provided the crowned or arched running surface 26 for a tangential belt 27. Also hollow shank 1 is provided with two rolling surfaces 28 formed by two rings 29 covered with a friction lining and embracing hollow shank 1. These rings 29 are fixedly arranged in hollow shank 1. Between the two rolling surfaces 28 there is provided a cylindrical rolling surface 30 engaged by a tension belt 31. T angential belt 27 and tension belt 31 are directly `arranged one on top of the other.

As will be evident from FIG. l, two supporting rollers 16 and 17 are provided which are spaced from each other in such a way that hollow shank 1 with its rolling surfaces 28 cannot be radially slipped therebetween but rather engages rolling surfaces 25 of supporting rollers 16 and 17. Hollow shaft 1 is by means of tension belt 31 pulled against the two supporting rollers. The guiding of tangential belt 27 and of tension belt 31 will be evident from FIG. 4 which illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 3 partly in top view and partly in section. Although the embodiment of FIG. 3 is not identical to that of FIG. l, the guiding of the tension belt and the tangential belt is the same also for FIG. l aside from the fact that according to the embodiment of FIG. l, the provision of a special brake within the range of the supporting rollers is not necessary because according to FIG. l, bobbin sleeve 4 can be braked and stopped without the necessity of simultaneously stopping hollow shaft 1 driving bobbin 4. Further details with regard to the guiding of tangential belt 27 and tension belt 131 will be described in connection with the description of FIG. 4.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 concerns a spindle type of U. S. Patent 3,122,877, in which there is provided a hollow shaft 32 through which there have been inserted from below bobbin sleeves 411, 33, the upper one of which rests upon the bobbin sleeve 33 engaging the interior wall lof bobbin sleeve 4a. The lower end of bobbin sleeve 33 rests at 34 on hollow shank 32, while the lower end of upper bobbin sleeve 4a is held between a spring ring 35 in the upper end of hollow shank 32, and the upper end of inner sleeve 33. When a cop is completed upon bobbin sleeve 4a, the latter can be withdrawn, and inner bobbin sleeve 33 can be fed from below by inserting a further bobbin sleeve from below. The upper end of hollow shank 32 has arranged thereon a running sleeve 36 which has its running surface 37 in engagement with rolling surfaces 25 of the two supporting rollers 16, 17. Rolling surfaces 2S of supporting rollers 16, 17 have an annular groove therein in which rings 3S of elastic material have been inserted. A corresponding annular groove designated 39 is also provided in rolling surface 37 of hollow shank 32. In this way, hollow shank 32 is secured against axial displacement relative to supporting rollers 16, 17.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, pairs of supporting rollers 16, 17 are provided in the spindle rail 13 above and below the latter. Also those supporting rollers 16, 17 which are located below said spindle rail 13 are provided with rolling surfaces 25 for cooperating with rolling surface 37 of hollow shank 32. These rolling surfaces have no rings 3S because the rings 38 at the upper supporting rollers suice to prevent an axial displacement or hollow shank 32 relative to the supporting rollers. Directly above and below spindle rail 13 there are provided two tension belts 40 which pass around the outer surfaces of hollow shank 32. Within the range of the crowned -or arched running surface 26 of supporting rollers 16, 17, one tangential belt 27 each engages supporting rollers 16 and 17. Belt 17 is at the same time in engagement with the outer surface of hollow shank 32. Tangential belt 29 and tension belts 40 are guided in a manner similar to that which will be described in connection with FIG. 4.

As mentioned above, in the embodiment of FIG. l, the supporting rollers 16 and 17 are surrounded by a housing 41 carried by spindle rail 13. A corresponding housing is also provided in the arrangement of FIG. 2. In this instance, the housing 42 extends below and above spindle rail 13.

The spindles according to FIGS. 3 and 4 are designed as hol-low spindles 43 having their lower end extending closely to spindle rail 13. Journalled on spindle rail 13 (FIG. 4) are two supporting rollers 16 and 17 each which are associated with the individual spindles 43. The journalling of the supporting rollers is effected in the same manner as described in connection with FIGS. l and 2. It is also possible to provide the pairs of supporting rollers in conformity with FIG. 2.

Rolling surfaces 25 of supporting rollers 16, 17 have associated therewith rolling surfaces on hollow spindle 43. The rolling surfaces of hollow spindle 43 are likewise formed by running rings 29. Between the two rings 29 of each spindle there is journal'led on the spindle by means of anti-friction bearings 45 a whorl 46 which is partially surrounded by tension belt 31 engaging an annular groove 56 in part 46. As will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, tension belt 31 is looped around two adjacent spindles. Between whorl 46 or tension belt 31 and the crowned running surface 26 of supporting rollers 16, 17 of FIGS. 3 and 4 there passes tangential belt 27 which, along a certain angle, is looped around whorl 46 of spindle 43 and the running surfaces of supporting rollers 16 and 17, so that tangential belt 27 rotates supporting rollers 16 and 17 while tangential belt 27 simultaneously moves tension belt 31 so as to cause the latter to rotate with whorl 46. At the same time, hollow spindle 43 rotates in the same direction, inasmuch as the latter, by means of its rolling surfaces 28, rests on rolling surfaces 25 of the pairs of supporting rollers 16, 17. Supporting rollers 16 and 17 thus form the driving rollers for spindle 43 while at the same time forming tensioning rollers for tangential belt 27. The looping angle of tangential belt 27 on each spindle 43 or supporting rollers 16, 17 as well as the looping angle of tension belt 31 may be varied by tiltably or displaceably journalling supporting rollers 16 and 17 in spindle rail 13.

As will be evident from FIG. 4, two spindles 43'are simultaneously surrounded by one endless tension belt 31. Each of the two spindles 43 has associated therewith two supporting rollers 16 and 17 which are so located with regard to the spindles that tangential belt 27 and tension belt 31 may correspondingly be deviated between the spindles and the supporting rollers in order to assure a safe movement and thus a good drive. Between the two spindles 43 and between the sections of tension belt 31 there is provided a slide or carriage 47 which is longitudinally displaceably held in supporting arms 48 connected to spindle rail 13. The displacement of 'said slide or carriage 47 may be effected by means of a shift lever 49 which is tiltable about a pivot 50 `and has a forkshaped end 51 engaging a pin 52 on slide 47. The two ends of slide 47, by means of two pressure rollers 53 extend between the outer marginal portions of whorl 46 without, however, engaging the contact surface for tension belt 31. By shifting lever 49 in one or the other direction, the respective pressure rollers 53 at one end of slide 47 may be pressed against the running surfaces of whorl 46, with the result that spindle 43 with its rolling surface 28 moves -away from rolling surfaces 25 of supporting rollers 16 and 17. In this way, the drive is interrupted.

Simultaneously with a disengagement of supporting rollers 16 and 17 from spindle 43, the whorl 46 will be braked. In this connection, it should be noted that in the direction of displacement of slide 47, each spindle has oppositely located thereto a pair of brake shoes 54. The arrangement is such that brake shoe 54 is located opposite the rolling surface of spindle 43 so that rolling surface 28, when moving away fro-m rolling surfaces 25 of supporting rollers 16 and 17, is pressed against brake shoes 54 whereby spindle 43 is stopped. The spacing of the pairs of brake shoes 54 may be varied by supporting the s-ame by a supporting member 5S which is displaceably connected to spindle rail 13 for displacement in the direction of slide 47.

Advantageously, tension belt 31, according to FIG. l is formed by two adjacent individual tension belts so that in case one tension belt breaks, the spindles will further be held in their respective position until the broken tension belt has been replaced by a new one.

FIG. 4 shows an endless tangential belt 27 which engages opposite sides of spindle 43. It is, of course, also possible to provide a tangential belt which engages one side only of spindle 43 while section 27a is, in a manner not illustrated, employed for driving the spindles on the other machine side.

All embodiments have in common that the supporting rollers 16 and 17 `on one hand serve for supporting the spindles inasmuch as the spindles are pressed against the supporting rol-1ers 16 and 17, and on the other hand the supporting rollers 16 and 17 drive the spindles. Furthermore, the supporting rollers act as tension rollers for the tangential belt 27 inasmuch as, in cooperation with the spindles, they deviate the tangential belt. The angle of deviation, or the looping angle, may be varied by a displacement of the supporting rollers without, however, affecting the function of the supporting rollers -as driving rollers for the spindles. The journalling of the spindles will assure that the latter will be able tocarry out a limited pendulum movement so that they will automatically adjust themselves in conformity with the centroidal axis of the cop without causing a load on the anti-friction bearings, inasmuch as no anti-friction bearings are provided for the journalling proper of the spindles.

The drive according to the present invention is particularly suitable for spindles with relatively large outer diameter the journalling of which, by means of anti-friction bearings, normally causes considerable difculties inasmuch as bearings with larger diameter generally do not permit the high spindle speed which nowadays is required. The pressing device which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and formed by tension belt 31 may, 0f course, also be designed differently.' Thus, for instance, it is possible at that place where the pairs of brake shoes 54 are arranged, to provide a further supporting roller to be yieldingly engaged by the rolling surfaces of the spindle. This embodiment, however, is more costly because it requires an additional supporting roll per spindle and bearing means therefor. It is also possible to arrange the tangential belt and the tension belt not in superimposed position in engagement with the Wall, so that in this instance the tension belt will be stationary and also whorl 46 will be stationary. This embodiment, however, is Iless favorable than the illustrated embodiment because the spindle has to rotate relative to whorl 46, whereas according to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 the whorl rotates with the spindle, which means that the bearing is stationary and only then rotates when one or the `other spindle is braked by actuation of slide 47.

The arrangement for separating the sleeve from the whorl according to FIG. 1 may, of course, also be employed with the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 4 and replace the brakes shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. Inversely, the brake according to FIGS. 3 and 4 may also be employed in connection with a spindle designed in conformity with FIG. 1. The drawings illustrate three different types of spindles in order to point out the invention may be used practically with all heretofore known spindles for different types of machines. Thus, the invention may also be used, for instance, for up-stroke twisting spindles, two-for-one twisting spindles, etc.

The drawings show the supporting rollers above the spindle rail, or both above and below the spindle rail. If desired, with certain machines, it may be advantageous to arrange the supporting rollers below the spindle rail, i.e., to journal the spindle rollers in suspended condition.

summarizing the advantages of the present invention, it may be said that due to the fact that the spindles are, by means of at least one rolling surface, resting against rolling surfaces of two supporting rollers and are yieldably pressed thereagainst by pressing means effective along the plane :of symmetry of the two supporting rollers, each spindle is able to carry out slight pendulum movements inasmuch as the spindle is able, in conformity with the oscillations, to lift itself oit the rolling surface of the supporting rollers. Anti-friction bearings are necessary merely in the supporting rollers While the diameters of said bearing means can be kept small and will not be affected by the diameter of the spindle.

According to a specic arrangement of the present invention, the movement of the spindle and of the supporting rollers by the tangential belt has been further improved by the fact that the connecting line of the axes of the two supporting rollers with the axis of the spindle pertaining thereto connes such an angle that the belt engages the supporting roller and the spindle at a looping angle. This looping angle is obtained by the fact that the tangential belt 27, when passing the supporting roller and spindle, is deviated twice so that also spindle and supporting roller together and at the same time take over the function of the customary tension rollers.

Due to the fact that in conformity with the present invention, the supporting rollers are displaceably arranged on the spindle rail to allow changing the looping angle so that the deviation of the tangential belt while passing the supporting roller and the spindle is able to increase or decrease, it will be assured that the movement of the spindle by the tangential belt can each time be adapted precisely to the respective prevailing conditions.

The pressing device provided according to the present invention may be formed by at least one tension belt partially surrounding the spindle, and thus requires few parts and can be produced at a low cost.

Due to the fact that the tension belt engages the spindle in the plane of the tangential belt and engages said tangential belt by means of that tension belt surface which faces away from the spindle at least within the range of the supporting rollers, it will `be assured that tension belt and tangential belt will engage each other and thus, the tangential belt will move not only the supporting roller but also through said tension belt will directly move the spindle.

A uniform transfer of the pressure by the pressure device to the spindle will be assured in conformity with the inventionby the fact that two tensioning belts are partly looped around the spindle symmetrically on both sides of the tangential belt. Furthermore, a uniform engagement of the spindle with the supporting rollers will also be assured by the fact that the supporting rollers and the spindle are engaged by two belts spaced axially from each other while between said belts at least one tensioning belt partially surrounds the spindle.

Due to the fact that at least one endless belt on both sides of each spindle of a spindle row drives the same and at the same time also the supporting roller pairs therefor, it lwill be assured that all supporting rollers are driven directly by the tangential belt and that simultaneously also each spindle will be in contact twice with the tangential belt. This means an increase in the looping angle so that the movement by the tangential belt is further improved.

When, instead of the tension belt directly surrounding the spindle, the tension belt is partially looped around a whorl rotatably journalled on the spindle, so that the spindle is journalled in the whorl and driven solely by the supporting rollers while the rotating tension belt rotates the whorl only at the spindle speed, a relative rotation between whorl and spindle will be possible. In such an instance, for all practical purposes, the bearing rotates with the whorl and spindle so that the running surfaces of the bearings will not carry out any relative rotation with regard to each other.

If the tension belt in each case consists of two individual belts arranged directly adjacent each other, it will be assured that if one of the individual tension belts should tear, the function of the tension belt will be maintained by the other tension belt. Thus, the required safety of the drive according to the present invention Will be assured and it cannot occur that a spindle will detach itself from its supporting rollers against which it has to be pressed.

The present invention also allows a braking or stopping of the individual spindles or of a plurality of spindles at one and the same time. To this end, that side of the spindle which is surrounded by the tensioning belt has arranged thereon at least one of the brake shoes associated therewith against which the spindle with a braking surface is adapted to be pressed against the thrust of the tensioning belt. Such an arrangement brings about that by moving the spindle toward the brake shoes, by pressing the spindle against the brake shoe against the thrust of the tension belt, the spindle will cause its rolling surfaces to detach themselves from the rolling surfaces of the supporting rollers so that the power driving connection will be interrupted. In other words, an interruption of the drive and the braking operation cooperate so as to cause the spindle quickly to stop.

When a drive is concerned with at least a tension belt partially surrounding two adjacent spindles, a longitudinally displaceable slide or the like may be provided between the two spindles. Said slide may have at its end pressure rollers by means of which one or the other spindle can against the thrust of the tension belt be pressed against the respectively arranged brake shoe or associated brake shoes.

It is a well known fact that belts, especially flat belts, have the tendency automatically to displace themselves onto that section of the looped-around surface which has the greatest diameter. When the looping surface is arched slightly outwardly, it will be assured that the spindle resting on the supporting rollers will be held along its height, while the tangential belts and tensioning belts will, due to their looping, prevent an axially downward sliding of the spindle. These safeguards against axial displacement can be improved according to the present invention by having the tension belt partially surround the spindle while engaging an annular groove. Said tension belt engages the anular groove with axial and radial play, so

that an axial displacement of the spindle is made totally impossible.

The movement and axial support of the spindle is, in conformity with the present invention, further improved by the fact that the roller surfaces, at least of the spindle, are formed by a friction layer or by radially extending friction rings.

When the roller surfaces of the spindle and the supporting rollers are so profiled that protrusions of one surface engage recesses in the other surface, both parts cooperate in the manner of key-and-groove and will assure an axial location of the spindle without affecting the movement by the tangential belt or, in other words, the drive by the supporting rollers.

When dividing the supporting roller into two axially superimposed individual rollers, one above and one below the spindle roll, the axial distance of the individual rolling surfaces on the supporting rollers and on the spindle will be relatively large, whereby a somewhat stiff bearing of the spindle on the supporting rollers will be obtained. Such an arrangement is, therefore, particularly advantageous for especially long spindles and for high cop weights.

It is, of course, to be understood, that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular arrangements shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a textile machine, especially spinning land twisting machine, two normally stationarily journalled rotatable supporting rollers arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel to each other, said supporting rollers being located on opposite sides of a plane forming the plane of symmetry for said two rollers, a spindle rotatably arranged between said supporting rollers and having its axis of rotation arranged at least approximately in said plane of symmetry, pressure exerting means yieldably pressing said spindle and said supporting rollers toward each other so as to support said spindle by said supporting rollers, and driving belt means drivingly engaging at least one of said supporting rollers.

2. In a textile machine, especially spinning and twisting machine, two normally stationarily journalled rotatable supporting rollers having peripheral supporting surface means and being arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel to each other, a rotatable spindle having its axis of rotation at least approximately parallel to the axes of rotation of said supporting rollers and being arranged between said supporting rollers, said spindle having peripheral contact surface means in engagement with said supporting surface means of said rollers for supporting said spindle by said rollers, pressure exerting means yieldably pressing said spindle along its contact surface means against said supporting surface means, and driving belt means establishing driving engagement between said spindle and at least one of said supporting rollers.

3. A textile machine according to claim 2, in which the axis of rotation of said spindle is offset with regard to the plane passing through the axes of both of said supporting rollers while said supporting rollers are spaced from each other by such a distance that the driving belt means passes around a circumferential section of the respective adjacent supporting roller and of said spindle.

4. In a textile machine, especially spinning and twisting machine, two normally stationarily journalled rotatable supporting rollers arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel to each other, means for varying the spacing between said rollers, said supporting rollers being located on opposite sides of a plane forming the plane of symmetry for said two rollers, a spindle rotatably arranged between said supporting rollers and having its axis of rotation arranged at least approximately in said plane of symmetry, pressure exerting means yieldably pressing said spindle and said supporting rollers toward each other so as to support said spindle by said supporting rollers, and

driving belt means drivingly engaging at least one of said supporting rollers.

5. In a textile machine, especially spinning and twisting machine, two normally stationarily journalled rotatable supporting rollers larranged in spaced relationship to each other with the axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel to each other, said supporting rollers being located on opposite sides of a plane forming the plane of symmetry for said two rollers, a spindle rotatably arranged between said supporting rollers and having its axis of rotation arranged at least approximately in said plane of symmetry, pressure exerting belt means partially looped around said spindle and yieldably pressing said spindle toward said supporting rollers so as to cause the latter to support said spindle, and driving belt means drivingly engaging at least one of said supporting rollers.

6. In a textile machine, especially spinning and twisting machine, two spaced pairs of normally stationarily journalled rotatable supporting rollers, the rollers of each of said pairs of rollers having peripheral supporting surface means and being 'arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel to each other, two rotatable spindles respectively associated with said pairs of rollers, each of said spindles having its axis of rotation at least approximately parallel to the axes of rotation of the yrespective adjacent supporting rollers yand being arranged therebetween, each of said spindles having parallel contact surface means in engagement with the supporting surface means of the respective adjacent pair of rollers for supporting said spindle by the latter, pressure exerting belt means common to and looped around both of said spindles and continuously yieldably pressing the same toward the respective adjacent supporting rollers for rotating said spindles by the respective adjacent pairs of rollers, and driving belt means extending between said spindles and at least one roller of each of said pairs of rollers and establishing driving engagement between said spindles and at least one of the supporting rollers of each of said pairs `of rollers.

7. A textile machine according to claim S, in which said pressure exerting belt means engages said spindle in the plane of said driving belt means and engages the latter at least within the range of the respective adjacent supporting roller.

8. A textile machine according to claim 5, in which said pressure exerting belt means includes two belts partially looped around said spindle and arranged on opposite sides of and substantially symmetrically with regard to said driving belt means.

9. In a textile machine, especially spinning and twisting machine, two normally stationarily journalled rotatable supporting rollers arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel to each other, said supporting rollers being located on opposite sides of a plane forming the plane of symmetry for said two rollers, a spindle rotatably arranged between said supporting rollers and having its axis of rotation arranged at least approximately in said plane of symmetry, pressure exerting belt means partially looped around said spindle and yieldably pressing said spindle toward said supporting rollers so as to cause the latter to support said spindle, and driving belt means -arranged on opposite sides of said spindle and in engagement with said pressure exerting belt means.

10. A textile machine according to claim 9, in which the driving belt means on opposite sides of said spindle is formed by at least one endless driving belt drivingly engaging said spindle and said supporting rollers.

11. In a textile machine, especially spinning and twisting machine, two normally stationarily journalled rotat- 10 able supporting rollers arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel to each other, said supporting rollers being located on opposite sides of a plane forming the plane of symmetry for said two rollers, a spindle rotatably arranged between said supporting rollers and having its axis of rotation arranged at least approximately in said plane of symmetry, whorl means rotatably mounted on said spindle, pressure exerting belt means yieldably pressing said spindle and said supporting rollers toward each other so as to support said spindle by said supporting rollers, said pressure exerting belt means partially being looped around said whorl means, and driving belt means drivingly engaging at least one of said supporting rollers.

12. In a textile machine, especially spinning and twisting machine, two normally stationarily journalled rotatable supporting rollers arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the axes of rotation. thereof substantially parallel to each other, said supporting rollers being located on opposite sides of a plane forming the plane of symmetry for said two rollers, a spindle rotatably arranged between said supportin-g rollers and having its axis of rotation arranged at least approximately in said plane of symmetry, pressure exerting means includin-g two directly adjacent individual belt means and pressing said spindle and said supporting rollers toward each other so as to support said spindle by said supporting rollers, and driving belt means drivingly engaging at least one of said supporting rollers.

13. In a textile machine, especially spinning and twisting machine, two normally stationarily journalled rotatable supporting rollers arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel to each other, said supporting rollers being located on opposite sides of a plane forming the plane of symmetry for said two rollers, a spindle rotatably arranged between said supporting rollers and having its axis of rotation arranged at least approximately in said plane of symmetry, pressure exerting belt means partially passed around said spindle and yieldable pressing the same toward said supporting rollers so as to support said spindle by said supporting rollers, brake.` means arranged on that side of said belt means which faces away from said spindle and is located within the range of the contact section of said belt means Iwith said spindle, said brake means bein-g slightly spaced from said belt means, driving belt means drivingly engaging at least one of said supporting rollers, and means Operable to move said spindle against the force of said pressure exerting belt means toward said brake means for stopping said spindle.

14. A textile machine according to claim 13, which includes adjustable slide means including roller means operable to engage said spindle, said slide means being operable selectively to cause said roller means to engage said spindle and to move the latter against the tension of said pressure exerting belt means in the direction toward said brake means for said spindle.

15. In a textile machine, especially spinning and twisting machine, two normally stationarily journalled rotatable supporting rollers arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel to each other, said supporting rollers being located on opposite sides of a plane forming the plane 0f symmetry for said two rollers, a spindle rotatably arranged between said supporting rollers and having its axis of rotation arranged at least approximately in said plane of symmetry, said spindle being provided with a peripheral annular groove, pressure exerting belt means yieldably pressing said spindle against said rollers so as to support said spindle by said rollers, said pressure exerting belt mean yieldably pressing said spindle against said rollers so as to support said spindle by said rollers, said pressure exerting belt means engaging said groove with axial and radial play, and driving belt means drivingly engaging at least one of said supporting rollers.

16. In a textile machine, especially spinning and twisting machine, two normally stationarily journalled rotatable supporting rollers having peripheral supporting surface means and being arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the `axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel to each other, a rotatable spindle having its axis of rotation at least approximately parallel to the axes of rotation of said supporting rollers and being arranged between said supporting rollers, said spindle having peripheral contact surface means in engagement with said supporting means of said rollers for supporting said spindle by said rollers, at least the surface means of said spindle being formed by annular means of friction material, pressure exerting means yieldably pressing said spindle along its Contact surface means against said supporting surface means, and driving belt means establishing driving engagement between said spindle and at least one of said supporting rollers.

17. In a textile machine, especially spinning and twisting machine, two normally stationarily journalled rotatable supporting rollers having peripheral supporting surface means and being arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel to each other, a rotatable spindle having its axis of rotation at least approximately parallel to the axes of rotation of said supporting rollers and being arranged between said supporting rollers, said spindle having peripheral contact surface means in engagement with said supporting means of said rollers for supporting said spindle by said rollers, said supporting surface means and said contact surface means bein-g contoured so that one of said surface means is provided with an annular rib and the other one of said surface means is provided with an annular groove engaged by said rib, pressure exerting means yieldably pressing said spindle along its contact surface means against said supporting surface means, and driving belt means establishing driving engagement between said spindle and at least one of said supporting rollers.

18. In a textile machine, especially spinning and twisting machine, having a spindle rail: a pair of supporting roller means comprising two axially superimposed supporting rollers normally stationarily journalled on and respectively arranged above and below said spindle rail, said supporting roller means being arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the axes of rotation of said rollers substantially parallel to each other, at least the lupper rollers being provided with peripheral supporting surface means, a rotatable spindle having its axis of rotation at least approximately parallel to the axes of rotation of said supporting rollers and being arranged between said supporting rollers, said spindle having peripheral Contact surface means in engagement with said supporting surface means of said rollers for supporting said spindle by said rollers, pressure exerting means yieldably pressing said spindle along its contact surface means against said supporting surface means, and driving belt means establishing driving engagement between said spindle and at least one of said supporting rollers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 416,326 12/1889 Dimock 57-104 454,823 6/1891 -Imbs 57-104 774,743 1l/1904 Draper 57-136 X 2,158,611 5/1939 GordOn 57-136 2,718,747 9/1955 Honig 57-104 X FOREIGN PATENTS 377,543 9/1907 France.

949,545 9/1956 Germany.

405,861 2/1934 Great Britain.

FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

D. E. WATKINS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A TEXTILE MACHINE, ESPECIALLY SPINNING AND TWISTING MACHINE, TWO NORMALLY STATIONARILY JOURNALLED ROTATABLE SUPPORTING ROLLERS ARRANGED IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER WITH THE AXES OF ROTATION THEREOF SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER, SAID SUPPORTING ROLLERS BEING LOCATED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A PLANE FORMING THE PLANE OF SYMMETRY FOR SAID TWO ROLLERS, A SPINDLE ROTATABLY ARRANGED BETWEEN SAID SUPPORTING ROLLERS AND HAVING ITS AXIS OF ROTATION ARRANGED AT LEAST APPROXIMATELY IN SAID PLANE OF SYMMETRY, PRESSURE EXERTING MEANS YIELDABLY PRESSING SAID SPINDLE AND SAID SUPPORTING ROLLERS TOWARD EACH OTHER SO AS TO SUPPORT SAID SPINDLE BY SAID SUPPORTING ROLLERS, AND DRIVING BELT MEANS DRIVINGLY ENGAGING AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SUPPORTING ROLLERS. 